Reflections from NCSHA: Building What’s Next for Homeownership

Every year, the National Council of State Housing Agencies (NCSHA) Annual Conference & Showplace gives us a front-row seat to what’s next in housing. This year’s discussions revealed a powerful shift from programs that simply increase access to those that reimagine what equitable, sustainable homeownership really means.

I had the privilege of joining housing leaders from across the country to explore that transformation firsthand. The conversations between Housing Finance Agencies (HFAs), lenders, and community partners were more than just inspiring, they were proof to me that innovation in housing isn’t slowing down. It’s accelerating, and it’s happening everywhere.

From my vantage point at Framework, this conference reinforced my belief that this is the kind of collaboration where the future of housing is being built — one idea, one partnership, and one homebuyer at a time.

Here are my top five takeaways from this year’s NCSHA Conference

1. Expand Access through Innovative Solutions (Not Just Tech)

Programs like Connecticut Housing Finance Agency’s (CHFA) SMART RATE program are leading the way in innovation. Smart Rate links student debt relief and rate buydowns to help first-time and first-generation buyers purchase homes sooner. Through Smart Rate, qualifying borrowers can receive a 1.125% reduction on their CHFA first mortgage interest rate, helping to offset student debt monthly payments and make homeownership more attainable. It’s a strong reminder that innovation isn’t just about tech, it’s about rethinking barriers that hold people back. 

2. Compound Affordability and Environmental Sustainability

MassHousing’s Energy Saver Home Loan Program is proving that decarbonization and affordability can go hand in hand. By blending climate and home improvement goals, agencies are helping families save on energy while contributing to long-term environmental sustainability by reducing energy usage by at least 20%. 

3. Reach Underserved Communities with Cultural and Community Responsiveness

Oregon Housing and Community Services’ (OHCS) Culturally Responsive Down Payment Assistance program is meeting communities where they are, and channeling resources through trusted local and Tribal organizations. OHCS awards funding to nonprofit organizations that have the capacity, skills, and infrastructure to support homebuyers in a culturally responsive way or reach communities in rural areas that are traditionally underserved by homeownership organizations. Down Payment Assistance-Culturally Responsive and Rural Organizations (DPA-CRRO) program-funded organizations disbursed almost $6.7 million to 209 homebuyers, with an average of $32,020 per homebuyer for homes across Oregon that cost, on average, $335,071. 

4. Impact Data Drives Action

State housing agencies in Minnesota and Kentucky are using clear, accessible data to reframe housing as economic infrastructure. When we connect data to positive community outcomes, housing policy becomes more urgent and actionable.

At Framework, we’ve seen that firsthand through our 2nd Annual Homeownership Confidence Report, where we gathered data from hundreds of homeowners to highlight their real experiences after closing. One standout insight is that Framework learners have a default rate that’s 28% lower than the national average, showing that informed buyers are more confident and more likely to sustain their homes. These numbers highlight the stories of the humans behind them, so housing professionals see where homeowners may need additional support and where to step in to make a long-term impact.

5. Build Systems that Are Future-Focused

HFAs are investing in internal capacity, technology, and cross-sector partnerships to sustain advances in housing innovation. Innovation that is future-focused moves beyond product design. It builds systems that make ideas last.

Let’s Celebrate the Winners of the 2025 NCSHA Innovation Awards

At the conference, NCSHA honors Innovation Award winners for their leadership and innovative approach to advancing some of the housing industry’s toughest challenges. We celebrate the accomplishments of the NCSHA Innovation Award Winners:  

• Minnesota Housing: for expanding outreach through HomeHelpMN and deepening public trust. 

• Illinois Housing Development Authority:  for its Land Bank Technical Assistance program turning distressed properties into opportunity. 

• Oregon Housing & Community Services: for integrating housing and health funding models that serve the state’s most vulnerable populations. 

• Vermont Housing Finance Agency: for its Housing Investment Fund that fills financing gaps with flexible, revolving capital. 

• Colorado Housing & Finance Authority: for its Community Partnerships unit that strengthens local implementation and equity outcomes. 

• Pennsylvania Housing Finance Agency: “A Brand-New Day” Annual Report increases transparency and storytelling in housing. 

• California Housing Finance Agency: Recognized for innovation in finance, risk oversight, and technology, including the Dream For All shared-equity loan portal.   

As the conversation about how we can make homeownership more sustainable and affordable continues, Framework is committed to supporting HFA’s, lenders, and other community partners with the education and insights needed to help every homebuyer lead a more confident journey. 

How Framework Helps HFAs

So, what does it look like when HFA’s and lenders partner with Framework to build more innovative, data-driven homeownership programs?  

We help our partners by:  

• Equipping agencies and lenders with custom education, data insights, and technology that empower more equitable homeownership journeys. 

• Bridging gaps between housing programs, data transparency, and consumer experience. 

• Supporting the leaders who are designing the next generation of homeownership access. 

Explore how Framework helps agencies provide homeownership education and post-purchase solutions that expand access to strengthen homeownership outcomes.